Polygonatum x hybridum ‘Striatum’

Variegated Solomon’s Seal Asparagaceae

A Solomon’s seal that decided plain green foliage was far too conservative! ‘Striatum’ is an old and handsome variegated form, producing arching stems clothed with dark green leaves irregularly streaked and striped with creamy white. The pendent, creamy-white flowers, tipped green, hang beneath the stems in late spring, followed by dark berries. A particularly useful woodland plant, combining the elegant habit of Solomon’s seal with foliage that remains attractive throughout the spring & early summer.

Polygonatum × hybridum is the horticultural hybrid between P. multiflorum and P. odoratum. ‘Striatum’ has a complicated history of nomenclature and has been grown under several names. The RHS currently treats P. odoratum ‘Grace Barker’ and P. odoratum var. variegatum ‘Grace Barker’ as synonyms of ‘Striatum’. ‘Grace Barker’ is an old horticultural name, but there is no reliable evidence establishing who Grace Barker was, or that she was the breeder or raiser of the plant. The name should therefore not be attributed to an individual without further evidence. RHS – Polygonatum × hybridum ‘Striatum’⁠

The cultivar is an old horticultural selection, with the RHS herbarium holding a British specimen collected in 1975 under the name ‘Grace Barker’. Its original introduction and raiser remain undocumented.

• Height: 45–60cm
• Spread: 30–45cm
• Flowering: May–June
• Hardiness: H7 (<-20°C)
• Position: Partial shade to shade
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained
• Parentage: Polygonatum multiflorum × P. odoratum
• Origin: Old horticultural selection
• Introduction: Historic cultivar; original raiser and date of introduction undocumented
• Nomenclature: Polygonatum × hybridum ‘Striatum’
• Synonyms: Polygonatum × hybridum ‘Variegatum’; P. multiflorum hort. ‘Variegatum’; P. odoratum ‘Grace Barker’; P. odoratum var. variegatum ‘Grace Barker’
• ‘Grace Barker’: Identity of the person commemorated by the name is undocumented.